She shrugs. ‘I’m okay with her. Whatever makes Gaurav happy.’
Then she hands over a bunch of her keys to another receptionist.
‘You’re leaving too?’ I ask.
‘Yeah, off to Krabi for a few days. Just Saket and I. Vanita has had enough.’
The receptionist hands me a couple of bills for me to check. I peruse them and point to a couple of items. ‘These two were supposed to be complimentary.’
The receptionist nods and takes it back.
‘Saket told me he talked—’
Just then, the receptionist interrupts Aanchal, ‘Miss Aanchal, could you confirm the minibar charges here?’
Aanchal smiles tiredly. ‘I have no memory of that, but sure. If it’s there, we must have drank it.’
‘She’s an alcoholic,’ I tell the receptionist.
‘Very funny,’ says Aanchal.
The receptionist handling my bills gives me the final bill. I quickly glance over the charges, nodding. ‘That looks right, thanks.’ I hand the bill back, then refocus on Aanchal. ‘So Saket talked to me. It was a good talk, told him where we are at. He’s totally into you, by the way. Nice guy.’
‘So am I into him.’
The clerk presents another form, which I sign without missing a beat.
Just then, Amruta emerges. She walks up to me and smiles at Aanchal.
Aanchal smiles back and addresses her, ‘Have a great trip to Koh Samui, okay? Take lots of pictures.’
‘Not everyone is like Saket,’ says Amruta. ‘This one here clicks one picture and he’s done. Unless it’s your brother. Then he clicks many and his whole argument? That Gaurav has fans!’
‘You guys have fans too. One is sleeping in the room,’ says Aanchal.
And then a small smile creeps on her face. ‘I never told you guys this, but I think both of you are great together.’
Amruta smiles widely. ‘That’s really sweet of you.’
The receptionist breaks into our conversation. ‘Mr and Mrs Dey, you’re done. The car’s ready for the airport. So whenever you’re ready.’
Amruta and I echo, ‘We are ready.’
I turn to Aanchal. ‘Bye, Aanchal, see you. Invite me to your wedding.’
PART 3
TWO YEARS LATER
1.
Daksh Dey
Transcript of Episode 334 of Kids Raising Kids
Daksh: Hello and welcome to episode number 334 ofKids Raising Kids, a podcast where two young people tell you how to raise young people! We hope you’re doing absolutely fine! I’m Daksh, by the way, one half of this podcast, and the brother of a thirteen-year-old who I helped raise!
Amruta: And I’m Amruta, mother of two twelve-year-old boys soon to turn thirteen, and Daksh’s wife... well I was that! Welcome to the... I can’t believe I’m saying this... and this is not a prank... to the very last episode of our show. Sounds strange to say it, last episode, but that’s what it is. Our journeyends here! Again, this is not a prank, this is really our last episode—334 episodes and we’re done.
